Area briefs

Comedy troupe plans Liberty Hall show

Michael Jackson, Anna Nicole Smith, Paul Harvey and "The Bachelorette" will all take a ribbing from the "Right Between the Ears" comedy troupe Feb. 22.

The Kansas Public Radio award-winning comedy show is scheduled for 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Liberty Hall, 642 Mass. The late show will be broadcast live on Kansas Public Radio, KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence.

Tickets, which are $12 for the floor and $10 for the balcony, can be purchased at Liberty Hall and Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, visit www.rightbetweentheears.org.

Sierra Club to discuss Sunflower plant's future

The Wakarusa Group of the Sierra Club will have its general meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt. The meeting will focus on the future of the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant. Those interested can meet at 6 p.m. at Rudy's Pizzeria, 704 Mass., before the meeting.

The 9,000 acre plant just east of Douglas County was used to make explosives used in conflicts from World War II to Desert Storm, but is now inactive and available for development. Micheline Burger, president of TOTO Inc., will present a development proposal.

Bluegrass concert benefits patient's family

McLouth -- A benefit concert for the Faris family will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the McLouth Community Center. The benefit offers bluegrass music plus free coffee, tea and dessert.

There is no admission fee, but donations will be taken to benefit Bob Faris of the Faris Family Bluegrass Band, who was recently dismissed from St. Francis Health Center in Topeka. He was diagnosed with two herniated disks and will have to undergo surgery within the month. The family has no health insurance.

The family band has performed in the Jefferson County area for several years, and Faris' wife and four children will keep their scheduled performances to raise money.

Donations may be sent to New Century Credit Union, c/o Bob Faris, 707 S.E. Quincy, Topeka 66603.